EIT launches bite-sized professional development courses

Edmond Otis is one of two senior lecturers who will teach the courses aimed at upskilling working professionals. Photo / Supplied

EIT launches six micro-credential qualifications that target working professionals in the education and health & wellbeing industry.

The courses will begin in July and are run by EIT's School of Health and Sport Science.

The micro-credentials are small stand-alone qualifications which can teach a person a certain skillset needed for a job instead of completing a larger qualification.

The courses on offer are: Rapport 101 - Communication for Practitioners and Educators; Supporting positive change; Working with Whānau and Families; Working with Diverse Populations; Working with Groups and Working with Communities: Social connection & Recovery Capital.

Each course offers five credits and is taught both online and in face-to-face block courses.

The courses run for six weeks and cost $280 each.

"The idea to offer micro-credentials is in response to our stakeholders' need for a new style of professional development," said assistant head of school, Kirsten Westwood.

"Busy people can now engage in learning in a smaller, more manageable way, improving skills such as emphatic listening, goal-setting and engaging with whānau.

"All these skills are highly valued by industry, employers, iwi and the community and add to a person's employability."

The courses will be taught by senior lecturers Edmond Otis and Chris Malcolm.

Both believe "better connection equals better outcomes".

The courses are aimed at "upskilling people in our community, providing them with the tools and soft skills to better engage with diverse populations, advance their communication, improve relationships and support positive change".

Rapport 101 – Communication for Practitioners and Educators is the first course, which starts on July 20.

For more information contact programme co-ordinator Patrick Lander at 06 974 8000 ext 5471 or PLander@eit.ac.nz